Just For Fun, Just Believe!

I actually had time today to do some stamping JUST FOR FUN!  How novel!  I decided to participate in a Splitcoast Stamper colour and sketch challenge (I combined the two).  So the colours this week were Lucky Limeade, Pink Pirouette and Primrose Petals.  Here's the card I came up with:

I used the Just Believe set, and I included some In Color designer series paper, embossed with the new Lacy Brocade embossing folder.  I made the flowers sparkly with some Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

Thanks for reading!

Blessings to you,

Christmas Wish

I know it's early for Christmas cards, but I just got this Merry Moments designer series paper and I really wanted to play with it! I made this card for Splitcoast's SC238.

The paper is layered onto some Garden Green cardstock as the card base. I put a layer of Real Red, punched with the Scallop Edge punch across that, then layered some Very Vanilla on that and tied some Real Red grosgrain ribbon at the end.

For the image pieces, I stamped the snowflakes from Snow Swirled onto Very Vanilla using the Rock & Roll technique with Creamy Caramel and Real Red ink. I punched them out with the 1 1/4" circle punch and layered them onto some Garden Green punched with the Scallop Square punch. I put a small red rhinestone brad (from Fire Circle Rhinestone Brads) through each one before adhering them to the card.

I stamped the greeting from Home for Christmas in Real Red and punched it out with the Modern Label punch. I layered that onto a die cut piece from the Lots of Tags Sizzlets 4-Pack.

Merry Christmas!

Blessings to you,

Love You a Latte

I made this card for Michelle's TGIF Sketch Challenge 6.

I dug into my new designer series paper collection again to start off the card, and I chose Autumn Traditions. I paired that with Soft Suede, More Mustard and Ruby Red.

The image is stamped from Pun Fun in Soft Suede ink. I used my aquapainter with Soft Suede classic ink to shade in the cup, then coloured in the hearts with my Ruby Red Stampin' Write marker. The corners of the stamped piece are punched with my paper piercer and mat pack.

To finish off, I wrapped some Soft Suede polka dot ribbon around the card and added a Pretties flower (died Soft Suede) with a Ruby Red brad through the middle.

Hope you like it!

Blessings to you,

Elegant Suede

I made this card for Denise's Pick 3 Challenge. I chose to use white with only one other colour (Soft Suede), dry embossing and beads.

This was a very simple card to make. I used the new SU! Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder, then added some silver beads to the centers of the flowers using Tombow Mono Adhesive. I layered that on the Soft Suede card base and tied some Suede polka dot ribbon around it.

And voila! I love how elegant the embossing folders make your card look with so little work!

Thanks for reading today!

Blessings to you,

Basic Butterfly

My wonderful husband gave me a day of stamping today, so I've been holed up in the basement all morning playing with my new stuff! It's been a long time since I've participated in any challenges, so that was my goal today! I'll post the cards I came up with throughout the week.

For this card, I combined two challenges: Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge (WSC90), hosted by Laurie this week, and Stamp Something's Bug's, Butterflies and Other Winged Somethings Challenge.

I know this was sketch was supposed to be a square card, but I altered it to standard card size so I can mail it easily if I need to.

I pulled out some Nouveau Chic designer series paper (isn't it gorgeous?) and paired it with Basic Gray for this card. I inked the edges of the dsp with to give them some texture and used the Ticket Corner punch for the corners. I wrapped some Whisper White Taffeta ribbon around the whole thing.

For the butterfly, I used my Beautiful Butterflies bigz die. The top layer is Whisper White, stamped with the flower stamp from Razzle Dazzle in Basic Gray (I stamped it off first). Then I used the Dazzling Diamond Dust technique with Iridescent Ice embossing powder. I layered that onto a Basic Gray butterfly and put some Pewter brads from the Vintage Brads collection through them both. I attached them to the card with dimensionals.

The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes, punched with the Word Window punch and layered to a Basic Gray piece that I punched with the Modern Label punch.

This card was a bit of a departure for me colour-wise! I've been making a lot of bright cards with In Colors lately, so it was nice to use some neutrals for this one. Thanks for reading!

Blessings to you,

Razzleberry Delight!

This is a CASE of this card I made last year, but I love the sketch so much I had to make it using the new In Colors! It's pretty straight-forward, so here's the recipe:

Paper: Razzleberry Lemonade dsp, Rich Razzleberry, Chocolate Chip, Crushed Curry cardstock
Accessories: Flower Blossom die, ticket corner punch, Rich Razzleberry polka dot ribbon

Thanks for stopping by today!

Blessings to you,

Razzle Dazzle Durango

This is a card I made for Splitcoast Stampers' Sketch Challenge #234. I was very excited to play with my new In Colors! This one has Dusty Durango as the card base, layered with Razzleberry Lemonade designer series paper. I added some Little Leaves die cuts in Old Olive, then layered on the image from Razzle Dazzle in Crushed Curry. I stamped some Dusty Durango splatters from Itty Bitty Backgrounds around the image and added some So Saffron 5/8" grosgrain ribbon.

Thanks for reading!

Blessings to you,

Check Out Alex's New Stamp and Scrap Blog!

My good blog friend, Alex (California Stampin'), has started a new challenge blog called Stamp and Scrap that combines stamping and scrapbooking (two of my favourite things!). They are currently looking for design team members and people to participate in their challenges. Make sure you check out their blog! I know I can't wait to see what they come up with!

January Sketch Challenge Winner!

In my monthly e-newsletter, I pose a challenge to my readers. Last month's challenge was to create a card using SC207 from Splitcoast Stampers. I put the entries into a draw, and Jeanette is the winner! This is her beautiful creation. She wins an assortment of 6 x 6 Raspberry Tart designer series paper. Make sure you check out her amazing blog! She is very talented.

Thanks for playing, Jeanette. If you would like to play along this month, you can subscribe to my e-newsletter by clicking on the link to the right under Stampin' Up! Stuff.

Have a wonderful week!

Blessings to you,

Sweet Stems

I finally got a chance to do a sketch challenge just for fun! I used Splitcoast's SC207. I wanted to use the upcoming Raspberry Tart Designer Series paper, so I pulled colours from that. I used Very Vanilla as the card base, layered with Rose Red. I used Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon around the Rose Red, then layered on some Kiwi Kiss cardstock and Raspberry Tart dsp. The stamped image is from the new Sweet Stems set, stamped in Basic Brown and coloured in with Stampin' Write markers (Rose Red, Pretty in Pink and Always Artichoke). I then sponged some Pretty in Pink on the paper to soften it up. To complete it, I layered the image on some Pretty in Pink cardstock and stapled some more Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon to that before adhering it with dimensionals.

I think I'll make some of these for my downline rewards...

Thanks for reading!

Blessings to you,

Christmas Challenge Winner!

I have a challenge in each of my monthly e-newsletters, and last month's challenge was to create a Christmas card. I received several entries, and I entered them all into a draw. The winner this time is Dorothy! Here is the card she made! I love the sparkles! Dorothy wins an assortment of Christmas embellishments. Congratulations, Dorothy! Thank you to everyone who entered. I loved all your cards.

If you are interested in receiving my e-newsletter to participate in challenges, just click on the link to the right under "Stampin' Up! Stuff".

Blessings to you,

Margaret's Card - Challenge Winner!

I included a challenge in my October e-newsletter for my subscribers, which was to come up with a card using Splitcoast's Sketch Challenge 188. The winner for October's challenge was Margaret! She wins an assortment of Stampin' Up! 6 x 6" designer series paper and her card posted on my blog. Isn't this a gorgeous acetate card? I just love the patterns and colours! Congratulations, Margaret! My November challenge will be in this month's newsletter (if you'd like to subscribe, click on the link to the right, under "Stampin' Up! Stuff").

Happy World Card-Making Day!

Is anyone else thinking, "Where did September go"? I honestly have not had any time to stamp for the past two weeks. Fortunately, my wonderful husband gave me a day off today, so I spent it in my basement/craft room stamping away! I actually managed to get my October clubs planned (yay!), as well as get in a little bit of "just for fun" stamping.

I'm going to spread out my posts of what I made today over the next several days because I don't know when I'll get a chance to stamp again!

This is a card I made using Splitcoast's SC188 (I know that was several challenges ago, but as I've said, I'm behind!).

I used Riding Hood Red as the card base, then added some Ski Slope dsp (LOVE this) and Baja Breeze. The image is from Snow Swirled, stamped in Riding Hood Red on Whisper White. I wrapped some 5/8" striped grosgrain around it, then put a pearl bead from my Pretties kit at the top of the tree and added some Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the snowflakes in the tree.

Alex let me know about the Coconut Scrap Shop's Fall Frenzy, and I was really hoping to be able to participate in it, but I don't think I'll be able to. But make sure you check it out (it ends October 6)! They have lots of great challenges. Thanks for keeping me posted, Alex!

Blessings to you,

Christmas Sketch Challenge

This is a card I made for Splitcoast's Sketch Challenge (SC191) this week. I wanted to use my new Holiday Treasures designer paper, so I started with that. The card base is Riding Hood Red. Then I layered the designer paper on Old Olive and Chocolate Chip. I used my new scallop edge punch on the Old Olive and my corner rounder punch on the designer paper.

For the sentiment piece, I layered Riding Hood Red, Holiday Treasures and Old Olive. I added a jumbo brad with some Old Olive grosgrain. The sentiment is from Holidays and Wishes, embossed with Glassy Glaze embossing powder.

Wow! It's been a long time since I did a sketch challenge! It felt really good! Thanks so much for reading!

Blessings to you,

Denise's Pick Three Challenge

This is a card I made for Denise's Pick Three Challenge. I CASEd this card by Alesasndra Reyes from the Stampers' Showcase on the SU! Demo site.

Denise's challenge was to choose three of the following to make a card:

- metallic paper
- circle punch
- die cut
- burgundy
- leaf stamp
- brad

I chose burgundy, metallic paper and brads (and kind of a leaf stamp!).

I used the Polished Stone technique for the background on glossy white paper.

Here's the recipe:
Stamps: Fresh Cuts
Ink: Basic Black Classic ink; Bravo Burgundy, Mellow Moss, Gold ink refills
Paper: Brushed Gold, Bravo Burgundy, Glossy White
Embellishments: Bravo Burgundy grosgrain, gold brads

Thanks for reading today!

Blessings to you,

More Circle Cards (Using Up My In Colors!)

I had so much fun making circle cards for Tamara's Sketch #54 that I had to make more! Plus, I have tons of In Color paper left that I need to use up before it's retired.

I made these cards for the people in my Birthday Club for August (my customers sign up for the Birthday Club, and when it's their birthday month, I send them a card that I don't write in so they can reuse it, plus they get some special birthday coupons).

I used the Scallop Circle Cards that I have left from the Mini Catalogue, along with some Afternoon Tea designer series paper, layered with Wild Wasabi or Chocolate Chip. For the image, I stamped the butterfly from Priceless on a rectangle of Whisper White, then stamped it again on some scrap paper, cut it out and adhered it with a dimensional for a 3-D look. I used my paper piercer to make some crazy lines and faux-stitched with my Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue Stampin' Write Markers. Then I tied some linen thread around it, tied a Soft Subtles button through, and adhered it with a mini glue dot.

These were quick and easy to make a whole bunch of! I hope there are some more Scallop Circle cards in the new catalogue!

Thanks for reading!

Blessings to you,

Barely Gray

We're currently on vacation (yes, again!), visiting my mom in B. C. It really is nice to be married to a teacher and have the summer off! We'll be back in a few days, and then I'll visit all my blog friends to see what you've been up to! In the meantime, here's a card I made last week:
For this card, I combined a couple of challenges - I used a sketch from Card Positioning Systems and an altered Splitcoast Colour Challenge 151 (I used Barely Banana instead of Yoyo Yellow with Going Gray and Basic Gray). The trend right now seems to be to use gray, so I guess I'll have to stock up!

It's pretty straight-forward. I used Going Gray as my base. The stamps are all from my recently acquired Best Kind of Friend set, stamped in Basic Gray. I stamped off the little flowers before stamping on the Banana square. I used Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon because I don't have any Basic Gray (which I will be purchasing!). I finished it off with a couple of silver brads.

I also made a version with silver embossed flowers, but I think I like the plain one better. What do you think?
Blessings to you,

Tamara's Sketch Challenge #54

This is a card I made for Tamara's Sketch #54. I really didn't deviate at all from her sketch - right down to the butterfly image! I'm so not creative! Actually, I searched through my stamps, and I didn't want to use a flower, so all that left me was butterflies. I really need to order some new stamps! (Luckily, the new catalogue will be here in a couple of weeks!!!)

Anyway, I CASEd Alex and used one of my scallop circle note cards. I decided to go for quick and simple for this card because I plan to make a bunch of them to use up my note cards!

I added a circle of designer paper that I found in my stash (so I'm afraid I don't know who makes it). Then I added some rectangles of Basic Gray and Whisper White that I faux-stitched with my paper piercer and Pale Plum Stampin' Write marker. The butterfly is stamped in Basic Gray on the white, then I stamped it again on a scrap in Pale Plum, cut it out and adhered it on top of the gray one. Finally, I tied some linen thread around it and tied a Pale Plum button through the thread.

Thanks for reading!

Blessings to you,

Denise's Pick Three Challenge

My MIL and SIL had an Scrap Night at their church yesterday, so I was able to get some stamping done! YAY! It's been almost a month since I did stamping just for fun!

This is a card I made for Denise's (Stamping Vacation) Pick Three Challenge. I really liked her idea - she gave us six requirements, and we could choose three of them to use on our card. I chose orange paper, cuttlebug element and a bow.

The base is Close to Cocoa, with some Pumpkin Pie and Ginger Blossoms designer paper (I can't believe ALL the designer paper was retired! I'm going to miss this one!). The flower on the main image is CB'd, then inked with Pumpkin Pie and Close to Cocoa. I finished it off with some More Mustard ribbon. I used Splitcoast's SC 186 for this one.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings to you,

Afternoon Tea Thanks

I finally got a chance to do a little stamping for fun this afternoon! I decided to try the sketch challenge from Stamp Something for this week. I think this is a beautiful sketch, and it was really fun to work with. I made a thank you card for DH's cousin (at whose resort we'll be staying when we go to Jamaica this summer!).

I pulled out my trusty Afternoon Tea designer series paper (LOVE this paper!), and the other colours came from there (Chocolate Chip, Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi). My Chocolate Chip silk ribbon went perfectly with it as well. I had the main layout all finished, and then I couldn't decide what to put on the main image piece. I had stamped a piece with some flowers all over it, but it clashed with the designer paper, so I put it in the "try again later" pile and came up with this butterfly piece. I stamped the butterfly from Priceless in Guava and cut it out. Then I stamped it again in Chocolate Chip and adhered the Guava one over top (I've seen a lot of people doing this with their butterflies, so I thought I'd finally give it a try. I love the 3-D look!). I also added some Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the wings (don't know if you can tell from the photo). Then I added some Wasabi flourishes and the greeting from Sincere Salutations.

Thanks for visiting! I haven't had time for blurfing yet this week, but I'll be at it this weekend, so if I haven't stopped by your blog for awhile, I'll be there soon!

Blessings to you,